[SWV]

I'm originally from Los Angeles and when my dad and my mom divorced my mom didn't want to be in the same city as he was matter of fact I think she wanted to be in a whole different state. She wanted to be far, far, far away from him.

We could of moved anywhere but she chose Kalamazoo, and I guess her reasons for that was because we have a lot of family around this area (Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Chicago, Three Rivers and Delton.) and Bronson Hospital contacted her first so she could transition easily to their hospital and they would pay her more (she's a nurse). But we also have family around the whole United States including in Miami, Las Vegas, NYC, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, even Hawaii and etc.

You just can't compare the cities that I've named to Kalamazoo because there are a lot of things to do there.

Now there are some pros while living in Kalamazoo..
I enjoy the Basketball games, football games, the kings baseball games, the beaches that are opened in the summer, and some of the hang out spots but that's mostly in the SUMMER.

I do go to college and I really shouldn't be complaining because I need to be focusing on my education and studies. But what are some things that are exciting and fun to do in the Kalamazoo area? I was also wondering are there any Muay Thai or Kick Boxing leagues in the area?


Thanks!!

[and the]

In case you haven't figured it out yet, just about everywhere is boring for a teenager!

[deslok]

Short sighted comments about everything being boring aside, I'd suggest a weekend trip to Chicago on the Amtrak. It is only 2 and half hours away, about 20 dollars or less on a good day, and easy to do. I always found the southwestern Michigan area to be rather unfriendly to younger people. Rather then helping any they'd give an answer more akin to "you're just a kid get over it" or something of that nature.
Downtown does have a bunch of concerts usually at the state theatre. I know on Western's campus they also have martial arts and boxing academys, at least they used to. The rec center at WMU has a lot of sports activities there to play with people of all ages, mostly college aged. Hope that might help a tiny bit, I know it isn't much.

[SWV]

Originally Posted by and the

In case you haven't figured it out yet, just about everywhere is boring for a teenager!

Well, not in LA.

[SWV]

Originally Posted by deslok

Short sighted comments about everything being boring aside, I'd suggest a weekend trip to Chicago on the Amtrak. It is only 2 and half hours away, about 20 dollars or less on a good day, and easy to do. I always found the southwestern Michigan area to be rather unfriendly to younger people. Rather then helping any they'd give an answer more akin to "you're just a kid get over it" or something of that nature.
Downtown does have a bunch of concerts usually at the state theatre. I know on Western's campus they also have martial arts and boxing academys, at least they used to. The rec center at WMU has a lot of sports activities there to play with people of all ages, mostly college aged. Hope that might help a tiny bit, I know it isn't much.

Yeah, I visit Chicago about three times a year..
I will definitely try out the WMU sports activities and see if they have any boxing leagues or something like that..

Thanks!!

[MI-IRISH]

get a hobby,clipping your toenails is always a winner

[deslok]

And people wonder why folks from outside of the midwest don't find the natives all that friendly..
Glad I could help!

[MI-IRISH]

hey,it's a good hobby

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by SWV

But we also have family around the whole United States including in Miami, Las Vegas, NYC, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, even Hawaii and etc.

You just can't compare the cities that I've named to Kalamazoo because there are a lot of things to do there.

Now there are some pros while living in Kalamazoo..
I enjoy the Basketball games, football games, the kings baseball games, the beaches that are opened in the summer, and some of the hang out spots but that's mostly in the SUMMER.

One of the problems is you are trying to compare Kalamazoo to cities that are at least 5 times larger (to over 100 times larger) and there is just no way there COULD be as much to do. Even in Miami which is 5 times larger for just the city itself, there are far more suburbs and close cities around that makes it even a larger difference.

That being said though, there really isn't a lot to do during the winter around there. Summers are so-so as well for interesting things. You might try looking at some winter sports to take up. Try skiing, Hockey, or snowmobiling. I can't remember if there are any indoor arenas down in that area for some of the other sports to be played during the winter months. Good luck, wish I could give a few more ideas to keep busy and kill the boredom.

[tuebor]

Like your teachers say, if you're bored, you're boring. (At least that's what my teachers used to say.) In my experience, people who grow up in smaller towns are adept at making their own fun, unlike big-city people who have to pay someone to entertain them, and Kalamazoo was where I discovered this. Make friends with some of your fellow students who grew up in West Michigan, and they'll show you a good time.

Here are some suggestions:
1) Look into student organizations. Find out what's out there, and attend a meeting to see what they're up to. There are groups for all sorts of political, social, artistic, and recreational interests. Start a martial arts club if there isn't one already. I especially recommend WMU's Philosophy Club. You don't have to be a philosophy major to participate. I expect K-college and KVCC would have something similar.

2) Take up a musical instrument and find someone to jam with. If you already can play an instrument, start a band or go to an open-mike night.

3) If you're at all spiritual, check out St. Thomas More. Sunday masses were jam-packed with young people when I was at WMU.

4) If you like to party, well, they don't call it "Waste-ern" for nothing. If you're sitting around at home on the weekends, you haven't met the right people. But if you do meet those people, watch yourself, be safe, and don't neglect your studies. All things in moderation.

5) Most important: forget everything you think you know about what is and is not cool, and just be open to new people, places, and experiences.